Hello again Clean Freak Fam!
💡 Brandon’s Pro Tip of the Week: Don't chase perfection. A garage will always have some dirt, it's a room with a giant door to the outside. You're only removing the big stuff so it doesn't attract more dust and debris.
Let me ask you a quick question…Have you ever been afraid to open your garage door?
For many of us the garage can quickly become the junk drawer of our entire house... just with a bigger door.
We’ve all been there. It starts with that one box you set down "just for now." Then a folding chair joins it, a tennis racket, etc. Before you know it, your garage has become the home of unfinished projects, random "I'll keep this just in case" boxes, and enough paint cans to paint the Golden Gate Bridge. If pulling into your garage feels like navigating an obstacle course, congratulations... you're normal!
You're also overdue for a reset! 😅 This is why I love tackling the garage in early fall. Summer is over and winter is standing just around the corner with muddy boots, road salt, snow blowers, and everything else that turns an already messy garage into complete chaos. Right now the weather is perfect, and future you will be incredibly grateful when you can actually find the snow shovel... hopefully before the first snowfall.
To set you at ease: You do not need to rent a dumpster, a fork lift or dedicate your entire weekend to the project.
You just need a simple plan. Declutter. Clean. Organize. Three simple steps that will have your garage looking less like a yard sale exploded and more like a space you're actually proud to open.
Let's Go! 👇
📦 Step 1: Declutter
Start by pulling everything out of the garage. Pick a clear day so nothing gets rained on.
As you carry things out, sort into three piles:
Keep - goes back in once the space is clean
Donate - still works, you just don't use it
Trash - self-explanatory
🤔 Questions that make decisions easier:
When did I last use this? If it's been over a year and it isn't a specialty tool, donate it.
Would I buy it again? If no, let it go!
If it were covered in grime, would I take the time to clean it? If no, get rid of it.
Does this even belong in the garage? A surprising amount of garage clutter belongs in the house.
One bonus: You might even find things you forgot you owned. 🎉
🧼 Step 2: Clean
Dust from top to bottom. Work everything down toward the floor so you can remove it in one pass. A cobweb duster is ideal here, garages collect spider webs in every corner. A broom or regular duster works too.
Wipe high-touch surfaces. All-purpose cleaner on workbenches, built-in shelves, doors, and window blinds.
Vacuum the floor. A shop vac is the best tool! It has more suction, handles heavier debris. Go slow and work in sections.
Here's why this matters more than you'd think. Dust and debris in your garage gets tracked into your house. Keeping the garage floor clean is one of the easiest ways to keep your home's interior cleaner, especially heading into winter, when the door is opening and closing on slush and road salt.
💦 Wash the floor (this step is optional) You can stop after and be perfectly fine. But if there's buildup:
Rinse with a hose and remember to stay away from the walls, especially drywall or wood
For stubborn spots, mix dish soap and water in a 5-gallon bucket and scrub with a deck brush
Squeegee the water out so it dries faster
💡 Pro Tip: Do this while it's still warm enough to use a hose outside. Once temperatures drop, rinsing the floor stops being an option until spring.
🗂️ Step 3: Organize
Get things off the floor. Wall-mounted track systems (like Rubbermaid FastTrack) are excellent for garden tools, rakes, and anything that normally leans against a wall.
Swap open shelving for a cabinet. Open shelves tend to become catch-alls and look messy no matter how carefully you load them. A storage cabinet hides the clutter and keeps things tidy.
Use clear plastic bins. Sort items by category tools, gardening supplies, sports equipment, into clear containers.
Use the ceiling. Overhead storage racks turn dead space into real storage.
Place the big stuff last. Position large items wherever they make the most sense for how you move through the space.
💡 Pro Tip: Choose a customizable system over fixed hooks. Your tools will change with the seasons, rakes out, shovels in, and being able to slide hooks around means you never outgrow the setup.
🎯 The Clean Takeaway
There you have it, my Clean Freak Fam! Your garage is now… well a garage again!
Always remember, your garage does not have to look like a home improvement store after a hurricane. It just has to work for you. A small amount of time decluttering, cleaning, and organizing now save you countless headaches in the future.
Better yet, decluttering, a good dust and vacuum, and a few smart storage tools can completely transform a garage, maybe even enough to fit two cars where there was barely room for one! A clear, organized garage means you can actually park inside when the snow hits and everything you need is exactly where you left it.
🛒 Grab the Gear Before You Start
Want the exact tools that make this a successful reset instead of a lost weekend? Every cleaning tool from today's checklist is sitting in the Clean That Up Amazon Store. No wandering the cleaning aisle, no buying the wrong thing twice. Just tap, add to cart, and let the proven gear do the heavy lifting. Your fall-ready garage is one click away. 👉 Shop the Clean That Up Store
🧽Clean Freak Community
💫Clean Freak of September:
Maddie shared her experience of how the right advice changed the game for her:
“My bathroom grout had been bothering me for so long and I had tried everything to get it looking clean again. I was honestly ready to give up! But Brandon's tips made the whole process so simple and straightforward. I can't believe the difference it has made, it looks brand new and I am absolutely thrilled!”
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Thanks so much for joining us at Clean Freak Weekly!
Brandon